Trip Introduction

Mera Peak is the highest of the permitted "Trekking Peaks" in Nepal. The trek begins by flying into the heart of the Himalaya to the village of Lukla. From here you will cross a high pass into a remote valley and steadily acclimate, as you have to move toward base camp & establish a high camp on the glacier from where you will attempt the summit.

You will have excellent views of Makalu, Everest, Lhotse and other spectacular peaks. This is a great trek and climb in an ancient land where Sherpas still graze yaks, cook on yak dung fires and live a very simple life. Porters to make our trip more enjoyable and culturally interesting will carry our food and equipment.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival day in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)

Day 2

Kathmandu valley sightseeing & Mera Peak Trip preparation

Day 3

Fly to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft), 40 minutes flight

Day 4

Trek to Chutanga (3,430m/11,250ft), 3-4 hrs walks

Day 5

Trek to Chhatre danda (4,000m/13,160ft), 5-6 hrs

Day 6

Trek to Mausum Kharka (3,430m/11,250ft), 3-4 hrs walks

Day 7

Trek to Thagnag (4,360m/14,301ft), 5-6 hrs walks

Day 8

Rest day for acclimatization

Day 9

Trek to Khare (5,000m/16,400ft), 4-5 hrs walk

Day 10

Rest Day

Day 11

Trek to Mera High Camp (5,800m/19,024ft), 5-6 hrs walk

Day 12

Climb of Mera (6,476m/21,247ft) and descend to Khare (5,025m/16,486ft)

Day 13

A spare Summit attempt day

Day 14

Return back to Gothey(3600m/11,812ft)

Day 15

Trek to Tuli Kharka ( 4250m/13,944ft)

Day 16

Trek back to Lukla via crossing Zatrwa la (4,600m/15,093ft)

Day 17

Fly back to Kathmandu, 40 minutes flight

Day 18

Departure from Kathmandu

Detail Itinerary for Mera Peak Climbing

Day 1

Arrival day in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)

Welcome to Himalayan country of Nepal. Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan intl. airport we will you and your groups assists to transfer in your hotel in Kathmandu. After time to get refreshed, evening you'll meet and transfer for welcome dinner in one of the typical Nepalese restaurant in the heart of Kathmandu and briefing about your trip and overnight at Hotel.

Day 2

Kathmandu valley sightseeing & Mera Peak Trip preparation

After breakfast, we pick up you from your Hotel for Kathmandu valley sightseeing such as Kathmandu Durbar Square, Monkey Temple, Pashupati Nath and Bouddha. It’s takes about 4-5 hours. At evening you will have a formal introduction with your trek/climb leader check your final climbing equipments. Over night at Kathmandu.

Day 3

Fly to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft), 40 minutes flight

This morning you'll be transferred to domestic airport to fly to Lukla. It takes 40 minutes scenic flight to Lukla airport (2,800m/9,184ft) and you will have time to stroll around, before the camp set up. After camp setup followed the keeps your things at camp and serving lunch and remaining time explore the local areas and Sherpa lifestyle go and watch and evening overnight at tented camp.

Day 4

Trek to Chutanga (3,430m/11,250ft), 3-4 hrs walks

Today, as our first day trek is an easy walk which leads eastwards, the path from here is less frequented than the other main trails from Lukla, walk follows through a number of hamlets and wood yards until we reach a thick forest of silver fir, birch, pines and rhododendron trees and bushes on the hill side below Nau Lekh also known as Kalo Himal Ridge, on this portion follow the Sherpa or the group as there are many path leading away from the main trail. There are many small streams with numerous places for camp, whole of this area referred to as Chutanga which is a summer pasture. Our first campsite in the wilderness is pitched on the meadows with time for a short walk around and overnight at tented camp.

Day 5

Trek to Chhatre danda (4,000m/13,160ft), 5-6 hrs

We continuing our trek after 1st day at Chutanga, our adventure begin with a steep climb to cross the Kalo Himal Ridge in the Nau Lekh range which separates the Khumbu from the Hinku Valley. A steep uphill climb from our camp brings us to a cairned notch in the ridge with a collection of Buddhist prayer flags at 4,450m. This small pass is called the Zatrwa Og, from here the path traverses across a boulder slope, round a corner and climbs once again to the Zatrwa-La at 4,600 m. In bad weather to find the path of our route can be quite misleading care should be taken but with fine weather, the view across the Dudh Kosi towards Karyolung and the Lumding Himal are very impressive, and the scenery across the rolling foothills of the Hinku Valley. From here less than hour descends will bring us to a large boulder which will be our campsite for the overnight at Tuli Kharka.

Day 6

Trek to Mausum Kharka (3,430m/11,250ft), 3-4 hrs walks

After camp at Tuli Kharka, today will be a short trek on the downhill slope, the path descends with superb scenery of Peak 43 and Kusum Kanguru and then coming to a fine vantage point of the Hinku valley, with grand views of the South Face of Mera Peak entering the forest once again, the trail drops steeply into the Hinku vally. A pleasant walk leads through the forest full of tall Himalayan pine and rhododendron trees. We make our camp on the clearing known as Mousum Kharka by the Hinku Drangka River and overnight at tented camp.

Day 7

Trek to Thagnag (4,360m/14,301ft), 5-6 hrs walks

From Mousum Kharka, our route follows the west bank of the Hinku Drangka northwards, eventually leaving the forest, the valley widens and opens, coming to a pasture and small kharkas (barn and a shade of the shepards) used for grazing goats, sheep and yaks, then our path leads to a small bridge to reach at Gondishung at 4,350m, a summer settlement of Tagnag with its huts and stone walled enclosures. Gondishung itself has a fascinating 200 year old gompa (monastery) beneath a great rock overhang, is a small Gompa with a buddha and several buddstava, prayer flags and number of crude mani walls. Trek continues for another hour passing beyond Lungsamba as the valley narrows between the flanks of Kusum Kangguru 6,369m to the west and the truncated far western peak of Mera 6,255m then finishing our today's walk here at Tagnag, a settlement made by the yak herders. Nowdays there are several tea houses here to cater the needs of the local staffs and porters who accompany Mera expeditions and beyond. Here we will have three nights camping on this beautiful surrounding.

Day 8

Rest day for acclimatization

A well worth rest day for acclimatization and local hike in this wonderful setting, surrounded by stunning peaks, specially Peak 43 which rises to 6,769m altitude. Just north from the camp there is a huge moraine behind which is dammed a beautiful glacial lake known as the Sabai Tsho, into which plummets the hanging Sabai Glacier well worth exploring with time spent will help you to acclimatize well.

Day 9

Trek to Khare (5,000m/16,400ft), 4-5 hrs walk

After a great time at Thagnag, today's destination is a short day walk of 4-5 hours but we will take it slowly acclimatizing and enjoying the surrounding scenery. Our route follows a relatively good trail leading up across the moraine which dams the Charpatti Tal, and then reaching a high point lined with cairns overlooking the glacial lake after more than half hour climb. From here the path descends slightly before touring the ridge and crossing a sandy bowl to the steep stream that descends from Dig Kharka, as we proceed on the right bank until after 45 minutes we reach the large pasture of Dig Kharka, here we cross the stream with the help of stepping stones towards the walls of an old shelter. We will have a break here perhaps time for lunch, after Dig Kharka, walk leads to a steep climb for few minutes, passing a large bivouac stone and then contouring around the hillside reaching the stream once again. We re-cross the stream at an obvious spots on large boulders. Following a trail for more than an hour across the boulder strewn hillside, we reach at Khare for our overnight.

Day 10

Rest Day

Today, we have a rest day for acclimatization or take a hike uphill for an hour where we can give you Ice climbing training (dependable with availability of the snow). Besides this, there are some interesting hikes from Khare above the camp it is possible to climb 5,550m on a high moraine ridge for more good views of the Mera La and the route up the mountain. Evening return back to our tented camp for overnight.

Day 11

Trek to Mera High Camp (5,800m/19,024ft), 5-6 hrs walk

As our continuing journeys and our route advances towards south climbing the moraine and following the crest to the foot of the black, steep screed slope, the path zig zags its way up to the top, as we look across a boulder strewn bowl to the lower tongue of the Mera Glacier after less than two hours hard walk from Khare. The route crosses the bowl and then climbs the ground to the right of the tongue to a large rock platform beside the glacier after another hour of careful walk. From here we must be on crampons for safety to climb the 30-35 degree ice for quarter of an hour to reach the plateau leading to Mera la. The trail are well marked,(unless there has been recent snowfall) the path weaves its way around and between the crevasses toward the Mera-la, from here its another hour to reach the pass, on reaching Mera-la after 3-4 hours of morning walk, we continue our journey for another 3 hours to our overnight high camp beneath Mera Peak, the first hour climb offers grand view of the northern peaks of Makalu, then Everest with cloud plume peeking over the massive black wall of Nuptse. Later as we come near to our High Camp view of Cho Oyu can be seen. Arriving at High Camp if the weather is favorable, panorama of Kanchenjunga comes into view far to the east and we set our camp at high camp.

Day 12

Climb of Mera (6,476m/21,247ft) and descend to Khare (5,025m/16,486ft)

We start our big day after an early morning breakfast, for the summit to Mera. From the high camp the summit bid will be made early in the morning (anywhere from 2am to 5am), and take around 4 to 6 hours to make the summit. Whilst the distance doesn't look far, we can assure you it will be hard work, and all the preparations and a positive, tempered attitude will pay off here. It is usually necessary to rope up for much of the summit approach due to crevasse hazards along the route. The route can vary depending on the conditions of the season but usually skirts around a major shoulder in front of us to the back side of the mountain and then traverse in a fairly straightforward approach to the summit knob. As the light comes, we enjoy incredible views across to Baruntse (7129m), Chamlang (7319m) and Nau Lekh (6360m) with Makalu (8481m) looming behind. Further to our left is Everest, peaking over several unnamed peaks of the Hinku. To the south we can see for miles down to the terrain. We aim to make the summit early/mid-morning and return to Khare after summit. The exact schedule will depend on many factors, including the weather, condition of the route and condition of the members. Our contingency of equipment and experienced staff and a time buffer, gives us a fair amount of flexibility to achieve success for all who have worked hard and consistently from the beginning of the expedition. The day will be long, and this is where all the training beforehand, the trek approach, and the right attitude will combine to give you stamina and confidence to be part of a sound team, with optimum chances for the summit.

Day 13

A spare Summit attempt day

One extra day we use to keep as a spare day, set aside in case we have to postpone the attempt on the peak because of bad weather or because some of the group have not yet acclimatized well enough to make the ascent. If everything gone smooth and you succeed to climb at the summit day you can use this day for another Ice climbing day or spent one more night at the village on the way back to Lukla.

Day 14

Return back to Gothey(3600m/11,812ft)

After a great succeed of the expedition to Mera peak we descending through the Hinku valley to Gothey for our overnight stop. All the way enjoying the panoramic views of the Himalayan valley and different mountains we reach at Gothey for overnight and evening relaxing with the local wines or whatever you want at the camp.

Day 15

Trek to Tuli Kharka ( 4250m/13,944ft)

After breakfast we climb up through the lush forest on the west side of the Hinku Valley to Tuli Kharka below the Zatwra La where we are staying overnight at camp.

Day 16

Trek back to Lukla via crossing Zatrwa la (4,600m/15,093ft)

After breakfast we start our last day trek. Today first we climb few hundred meters to the Zatrwa La top will be our last climb of the trip. After the top we descending up to Lukla village where we concludes the trekking part and this evening enjoy with crews at the last dinner at the mountain and overnight at teahouse.

Day 17

Fly back to Kathmandu, 40 minutes flight

The flight time to Kathmandu, are schedule for morning normally, because of the wind in the afternoon, sometime the flight time can be delayed due to bad weather and other reason beyond our command. Anyway we will fly back to Kathmandu and your guide will transfer to hotel. You may have time to relax after long journey and take back your breath and rest at your hotel.

Day 18

Departure from Kathmandu

Today is free or last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives for you until your departure flight/drive or to commence any extra trips or activities you may have booked with us. If departing, you'll be transferred to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination.

Inclusions:

On a camping arrangement

1. Pick up from Kathmandu International Airport on your arrival day.

2. Well Come Dinner.

3. 3 night’s accommodation in Kathmandu in 3 stars Hotel on BB Basis.

4. Kathmandu full day sightseeing with professional tour guide.

5. All local transpiration with private vehicle such as: Sightseeing, transfer to domestic airport for flight to Lukla.

6. Flight ticket Kathmandu to Lukla/Lukla to Kathmandu.

7. Mera Peak Climbing Permit.

8. Sagarmatha National Park permits.

9. Hinku valley entry fee.

10. 15 night’s accommodation in a tent while you are in trekking & climbing.

11. Three times food while you are in trekking & Climbing prepared by our staff.